Fine Arts Celebration and Awards Evening

Every year, the Fine Arts Department at GPRC celebrates the exceptional achievements of our students with our annual Fine Arts Awards Evening. The evening of April 13th was filled with entertainment starting with the Electroacoustic Ensemble concert in the Douglas Cardinal Theatre, music students providing background music in Pillars, the official Closing of the Year-End Student Art Show in the Glass Gallery, and finally the Fine Arts Awards presentations to complete the evening.

Susan Bansgrove, VP of Academics and Research, welcomed over 100 of our students, faculty and their families with her eloquent words that echoed the sentiments of the Department.

“In our community, and in the Peace Region as a whole, the Fine Arts offered at GPRC – and the many musical, art, and theatre shows our faculty and students produce – enrich, expand and celebrate our lives. So it is all over the world! Human beings cannot live without creative expression. Through the arts we express our humanity in all its breadth and depth – our joys, our sorrows, our hopes. “

Thanks to many generous donors, we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to provide awards and scholarships to our Music, Art and Drama students. ~ Submitted by Joanne Porta

The Electroacoustic Ensemble performing in the Douglas Cardinal Theatre.

Get Outdoors Event Success

The Grande Prairie Be Fit For Life Centre hosted one of nine Get Outdoors Events held throughout Alberta on April 13th, 2013. The Get Outdoors Weekend was held to remind Albertans that getting active outdoors has profound positive effects on our health and wellbeing and encouraged families to PLAY together outdoors to kick off spring. Although Mother Nature had other plans here in Grande Prairie, the Be Fit For Life Centre and 49 families (184 people) endured the weather to make the first annual event a success! Families received their “Passport to Physical Literacy” then walked around to stations set up throughout Muskoseepi Park. There were 10 outdoor stations highlighting active community groups and at each station the families were encouraged to try to complete FUNdamental Movement Skills from their Passports. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the outdoors. The Be Fit For Life Network is all about healthy active living every day … so get OUTSIDE. Get healthy. Get Active. Every day! ~ Submitted by Jodi Minton

Congratulations Ezra!

Eight year old Ezra Peters, son of GPRC Automotive Service Technician instructor, Jeremy Peters, recently won Canada Post’s stamp design contest, Deliver Hope. In a presentation from Canada Post he was awarded a $2,000 Registered Education Savings Plan and a $250 gift card for Toys R Us. Young artists from across the country were asked to produce artwork that reflects issues important to them with the winning design featured on the 2013 Community Foundation stamp which raises money for children’s charities and school programs. Ezra was the youngest of five finalists in the contest. His stamp will be available to purchase in September.

Erza with his family. Left to right: Kael, Ezra, Bryony (mother), JaeLynne, and Jeremy Peters

Recent Donations

Lance Leth of ATCO Gas recently presented a cheque to Joanne Ballance in support of their annual Bursaries at GPRC.

Have You Heard About the Axolotls?

Have you heard about the axolotls that we have in the Animal Science building at Fairview Campus? They belong to one of AHT instructors, Dr. Chris Mizzi and they are salamander-like creatures that live in water and can re-grow their limbs! They are found in the wild in only two lakes in Mexico but there are also large colonies kept at various universities all over the world and they are used extensively for regeneration research, and most recently in cancer research. They have also become quite popular as pets!

Dr. Mizzi has written an excellent article about these amazing creatures. Click here to read it.

The Axolotls are both males - the brown one named "Night Fury" is a wild species and the other is a leucistic mutation (white with black eyes) named "Toothless". They were born a year ago in December and are being raised by Dr. Mizzi. At 10-11 inches long, they are full grown.

Industry Readiness in Hinton

Eight students in the Industrial Readiness program held in Hinton, successfully graduated from the program with their Class 1 & Air Brakes along with various safety tickets.

Security Readiness Program New to GPRC Continuing Education

GPRC Continuing Education is pleased to be hosting another great Métis training program with Rupertsland Institute. The new program is called the Security Readiness Program and will prepare students for a rewarding career as a security officer. This security training is for Metis participants (aged 25-39) who are facing barriers to employment. The project aims to offer a diverse range of industrial certificates, life-skills, and employability skills. Coursework is tailored to encourage lifelong learning and employment for entry-level Security related positions and/or starting a career path process. The application deadline is May 6th, and the program runs May 27 - June 21.

Appreciation is extended to Rupertsland Institute for the opportunity to conduct another great program to offer employment training for the Metis in our region!

Excellence in People

At each monthly Board of Governors meeting, staff and faculty recognitions are presented to the Board by Don Gnatiuk on behalf of the Executive Team:

· Thank you and congratulations to Ms. Joan Godbout as the Chair of the Academic Upgrading Department. Joan has been a wonderful Chair over the past three years and has accepted an appointment for another two-year term.

· A huge thank you and kudos to Be Fit For Life Centre Coordinator, Jodi Minton and her Team, for their involvement in the Get Outdoors Alberta event on April 13th. In spite of the weather, 184 people attended making the first annual event a success!

· Congratulations to GPRC Fine Arts Instructor, Elizabeth Belliveau, for being a featured interview in the Globe and Mail Art Subscription Papirmasse.

· GPRC recognizes the dedication of Dave Waknuk, Head Coach Wolves Women’s Basketball, to the recruitment of athletes for theWolves Women’s Basketball Club, and for his relationship building with parents and students. His passion for student success is obvious, as noted in a recent letter from a Hinton parent.

· Congratulations to GPRC Fine Arts Instructor, Edward Bader, who has a painting on display as part of the Cenovus Art Competition at the Bow Art Gallery in Calgary. The competition to be a part of this display is by invitation only and aimed at mid-career Alberta based artists without a national profiles. This is a great accomplishment Ed!

· Congratulations to GPRC Nursing Instructor, Karen Oostra, currently enrolled in the Master of Nursing program at Trinity Western University, for being awarded an Alberta Registered Nurses Educational Trust (ARNET) Scholarship of $2500. This scholarship is awarded to registered nurses and nurse practitioners who best exemplify ARNET's commitment to promoting nursing excellence. GPRC is very proud of Karen!